Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct was created with input from students, staff and our School Council. It outlines the rights, responsibilities and expectations for our school and our community.

1. Introduction

A school is a place that promotes responsibility, respect and academic excellence in a safe learning environment. Eagle Heights follows the Ontario Human Rights Code:

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/ontario-human-rights-code

2. Guiding Principles

All participants involved in the school system—students, parents/guardians, volunteers, staff members—are included in this Code of Conduct whether they are on school property, on school buses, bus stops or at school-authorized events or activities.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

3.1 School Boards

provide direction to their schools
develop policies that set out how their schools will implement and enforce the provincial code of conduct

3.2 Principals

take a leadership role in the daily operation of the school
commit to academic excellence and a safe teaching and learning environment
hold everyone accountable for their behaviour and actions
communicate with all members of their school community

3.3 Teachers and School Staff

help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth
communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents or guardians
maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students
demonstrate respect for all students, staff and parents or guardians

3.4 Students

Have a right to:

a quality education
be treated with respect and dignity
be physically, verbally and emotionally safe
feel comfortable approaching a school staff member with any concern

Have a responsibility to:

come to school on-time and prepared to learn
show respect for themselves, staff, students, and school
refrain from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others
follow the established rules and take responsibility for own actions

3.5 Parents/Guardians

Parents/Guardians play an important role in their child’s education when they:

ensure their child arrives at school on time (attendance is vital for student success)

show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress
communicate with the school
help their child be appropriately dressed
promptly report lates or absences to the school attendance line
encourage and assist their child in following the Code of Conduct

3.6 Police and Community Members

are essential partners in making our schools and communities safer

4. Standards of Behaviour

4.1 School Rules

In a safe and positive learning environment, school members:

treat others with respect and avoid threatening, profane or abusive language
avoid physical or verbal aggression, bullying, discrimination and harassment
keep hands and feet off others and their property
do not throw objects that may be potentially harmful (e.g. rocks or snowballs)
play in designated areas
are not in possession of weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, lighters or matches
dress appropriately

4.2 Definition of Bullying

Bullying can be defined as repeated and systematic harassment and attacks on others. Bullying can be perpetrated by individuals or groups and takes many forms including: physical violence, verbal abuse, extortion, and persistent and unwarranted exclusion from the peer group.

4.3 Dress Code

Thames Valley students come from diverse backgrounds and have diverse identities and experiences. Decisions about dress are personal and reflect individual expression of identity and socio-cultural norms and are therefore important to student well-being.

Dress codes in schools often create and maintain ideas about dress that is ‘normal’ or ‘appropriate’ that do not reflect students’ identities – including their gender identity, cultural identity, race and creed. As a result, dress codes can reinforce harmful stereotypes and treat certain groups of students differently than others, resulting in discrimination. They may also devalue students’ ability to exercise control over their own bodies by choosing how they dress. Thames Valley learning and working environments must be free from discrimination.

All staff must ensure students feel safe and included and are treated fairly at school. This means affirming students’ identities in everyday practice, and supporting interactions between staff and students that are based on individual dignity and mutual respect.

Full guidelines posted here: https://eagleheights.tvdsb.ca/en/students/dress-guidelines.aspx

4.4 Recording Devices

Keeping in line with TVDSB policy, cell phones, cameras or sound recording devices are not to be used during the school day without teacher permission. Use of any device may result in confiscation. The return of such a device would be to a parent only.

All members of the school community must:

Respect the need of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching, including by ensuring that cell phones and other personal mobile devices are used only during instructional time (as directed by an educator), for health and medical purposes and/or to support special education needs.

4.5 Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviour

Failure to follow the Code of Conduct will result in teaching of desired behaviours followed by progressive discipline and appropriate consequences.

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